October 21, 2025 — In recognition of the International Day of the Girl, Tritt Elementary School hosted its annual Girl-Powered Robotics Workshop, bringing together more than 70 young engineers from across the Cobb County School District for a day of hands-on STEM learning and inspiration.
Now in its third year, the event continues to grow in both size and impact. What began as a Tritt Elementary tradition has evolved into a districtwide collaboration, with students from Sope Creek Elementary, Varner Elementary, and East Side Elementary joining Tritt’s robotics enthusiasts for a morning of coding, collaboration, and creativity.
Throughout the workshop, participants worked side by side with mentors from Hightower Trail Middle School’s Robotics Team, Pope Robotics, and Pope Girls in STEM, engaging in a variety of robotics builds, coding challenges, and interactive STEM activities.
“Tritt Elementary continues to shine as a STEM leader in Cobb County,” said Dr. Adam Casey, Cobb County STEM/STEAM & Innovation Supervisor. “Their celebration of International Day of the Girl through a Girl Powered robotics event was the best kind of experience — one that was student-focused and teacher-driven. Events like this highlight the power of authentic, hands-on STEM experiences in our schools.”
The event, held in partnership with the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and VEX Robotics, is part of a global initiative to empower girls through robotics. Students also took the Girl Powered Pledge, a symbolic moment celebrating confidence, collaboration, and diversity in STEM fields.
For Tritt Elementary fifth-grade student, Caroline, the workshop was an opportunity to explore her passion for robotics in a supportive environment.
“I’m here to represent girl power, do robotics, and just have fun,” Caroline said. “I like that STEM is a challenge, but you also get to be creative. Coding is my favorite part — I love getting to build and see how it all comes together.”
The impact of the event extends beyond the elementary level. Former Tritt students, now high schoolers, returned to mentor the next generation — a full-circle moment that underscores the program’s lasting influence. “It’s really cool to come back to my old school and inspire kids,” said Yuri, a Pope High School junior. “When I was at Tritt, older students encouraged me to get into STEM, and now I get to do the same for others. I hope to study mechanical engineering in college and work in the auto industry one day.”
The workshop was organized by Tritt Elementary Science Lab Instructor Joey Giunta and Technology Lab Instructor Courtney Pascual, with support from Principal Karen Carstens and the Cobb County STEM/STEAM & Innovation Department.
“Although this was not directly my event, my office was happy to support and attend,” Dr. Casey added. “It’s exciting to see schools creating opportunities like this that help students envision a future in STEM.”
The Girl-Powered Robotics Workshop serves as a reminder that when students are encouraged to explore, build, and create together, they gain not only technical skills — but also the confidence to imagine themselves as the innovators and engineers of tomorrow.
